Temperature-stabilized storage systems with integral regulated cooling

US9447995B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Tokitac LLC · US

Inventors

• Jonathan Bloedow · Lynnwood, US
• Ryan Calderon · Seattle, US
• Michael Friend · Wyandotte, US
• David Gasperino · Lake Forest Park, US
• William Gates · Redmond, US
• Roderick A. Hyde · Redmond, US
• Edward K.Y. Jung · Bellevue, US
• Shieng Liu · Bellevue, US
• Nathan P. Myhrvold · Bellevue, US
• Nathan John Pegram · Seattle, US
• David Keith Piech · Seattle, US
• Shannon Weise Stone · Redmond, US
• Clarence T. Tegreene · Bellevue, US
• Charles Whitmer · North Bend, US
• Lowell L. Wood, JR. · Bellevue, US
• Ozgur Emek Yildirim · Bellevue, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 6, 2013
• Grant date: Sep 20, 2016
• Expiry date: Nov 19, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F25D11/003
• WIPO field: Thermal processes and apparatus
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

In some embodiments, a regulated thermal transfer device for a storage container includes: a phase change material unit, the phase change material unit including one or more walls surrounding a phase-change material region, and an aperture in the one or more walls; a heat pipe with a first end positioned within the phase change material unit, and a second end; a thermoelectric unit thermally connected to the second end of the heat pipe; a heat sink connected to the thermoelectric unit, and positioned to radiate heat away from the thermoelectric unit; and an electronic controller operably connected to the thermoelectric unit; wherein the regulated thermal transfer device is of a size and shape to be positioned so that the phase change material unit is within a storage region of a temperature-stabilized storage container, and the thermoelectric unit is positioned adjacent to an external surface of the temperature-stabilized storage container.